Little drama behind Jed’s Kazakhstan victory

A little family drama unfolded two weeks ago when Jed Maddela came home from Kazakhstan with the second-prize trophy (plus US$3,500 and gift certificates) he bagged at the 14th Voice of Asia Song Festival held in Almaty. (Grand prize went to the contestant from Romania.) Jed’s victory was an eye-opener to his parents, Roy Tajanlangit and Agnes Tiña, both bona fide members of the Couples for Christ in their native Iloilo City, who frowned on Jed’s decision to join showbiz.

"Magulo daw kasi ang showbiz," said Jed, 26, whose full name is John Edward Tajanlangit (Maddela is the maiden name of his maternal grandmother). "They based their judgment on what they read in the magazines and newspapers and on what they see on TV. I told them na nasa tao ’yon. If you can handle yourself, then there’s nothing to worry about."

And yet, according to Jed (who himself is a member of the Singles for Christ), "It was my father who taught me how to sing; he was the one who trained me. He used to be the choir master of the University of San Agustin (Iloilo) where I finished Business Administration. My mother also has a good singing voice and I guess I inherited that from her."

Very religious like their parents, Jed and his two siblings (a brother and a sister, both younger than him) are God-fearing, with an inclination for the performing arts, finding an outlet as members of St. Paul’s (Iloilo)’s theater group. (Jed is the voice with Karylle in a soulful rendition of Only Selfless Love, theme song of the World Meeting of Families held in Manila early this year.)

So when Jed came back from Kazakhstan, hugging his silver trophy, his parents began looking at showbiz from a new point of view. They realized that that’s where their son is happiest, so be it.

"Now," said Jed who is goodlooking enough to be also in the movies, "they are giving me their full, wholehearted support."

His parents initially would rather see Jed work as a flight attendant than jump into what they thought was the risky world of showbiz.

"I was already accepted by Northwest Airlines, ready to start training," recalled Jed. "Then came an offer for me to audition for a band called Pose. I passed the audition and I chose to be with Pose and give up the Northwest job. It was God’s will, I think."

A contract artist of Universal Records with Ronnie Henares as his manager, Jed went to Kazakhstan keeping his fingers crossed. He and Ronnie were sent off by Universal Records lady boss Bella Tan with good wishes, and by his parents with loads of prayer. Only three Filipino talents have won in Kazakhstan before Jed – Geneva Cruz, grand prize in 1991; Ladine Roxas, also the grand prize in 2001; and Arnee Hidalgo, another Universal Records talent, second prize, last year. They were all honed by Vehnee Saturno who himself won the grand prize as Best Composer in 2001 and second prize, same honor, in 2002. Vehnee was also in Kazakhstan to give Jed moral support.

Eighteen contestants from 16 countries (two had two entries each, Kazakhstan and Macedonia) competed in the Voice of Asia Songfest. Each contestant sang three different songs in three separate events, graded cumulatively. Jed sang I’ll Be Around (carrier single of his self-titled debut album, to be released by Universal Records, of course), composed by Vehnee, on the first night; Labis na Umiibig, also by Vehnee and included in the same album, on the second night; and a song rearranged (again, by Vehnee) Be My Lady, popularized by Martin Nievera, on the third and final night.

"I’ll Be Around became popular among my co-contestants the first time I sang it," said Jed who placed No. 1 in the Internet People’s Choice poll. "Na-pick-up kaagad nila ’yung song. Before I knew it, everybody was humming it. It was my first time to join such a contest. The nice thing about it was that all 18 of us became friends. The songfest didn’t feel like a competition at all. Walang intriga, walang inggitan. Everybody was genuinely nice and friendly to everybody."

During this interview at the Emperor Villa Restaurant (on Quintin Paredes St., Binondo, Manila), Bella Tan asked me to listen to Jed’s winning songs on a Walkman player and – surprise, surprise! – Jed gave a new dimension to Martin’s Be My Lady with his full, macho voice. (Isn’t it a good idea if Martin and Jed do a duet of the song on TV?)

His Kazakhstan victory had firmed up Jed’s belief all the more that he is destined to be a singer – a professional one, that is – who shouldn’t just confine his singing to a limited audience as a choir member but with the whole world to enjoy it.

"I’ve been in this business for three years now," disclosed Jed who stands 5’10 and now weighs only 170 pounds (down from, believe it or not, more than 200!). "Kuya Ronnie has been my manager for more than a year now. I’m happy with him."

Jed’s journey through showbiz started after he graduated from college back in Iloilo City, when he joined as a vocalist for a band called Dyevest which performed in such Manila venues as Ratsky, Strumms and Dish. After two years, Jed left Dyevest and joined Prime Council, now a year old, which is composed of session musicians with regular gigs at Strumms, Conservatory (at Manila Peninsula) and Aruba (in Libis, Quezon City). It’s the same group that backs him up when he performs solo. (He has a two-album, three-year contract with Universal Records.)

So whose career path does he like to follow?

"Those of Martin and Gary (Valenciano)," smiled Jed who speaks (but not sings) with that endearing Ilonggo accent. "Martin does ballads with so much feeling. With Gary, I love the way he sings straight from the soul."

But his favorite song is neither by Martin nor by Gary. It’s Brian McKnight’s One Last Cry.

During his album launch on Aug. 28 at Hard Rock Café, Jed will do a showcase of his three winning songs – and more.

His parents, now convinced that showbiz is where their son’s heart is, will be there to cheer him right on!

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